Fight turns into 4-hour police stand-off

A Van Wert woman gave city police who were called to her residence on a report of fighting an exciting time Friday night and into the early hours of today.

Police officers who were called to 632 N. Market St. at 8:33 p.m. on a report of two women fighting found that one of the women, Pamela Collins, 43, also had an active warrant held by the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department, in addition to being a suspect in the domestic incident that occurred just prior to officers’ arrival.

Unfortunately, arresting the woman would take nearly four hours and some direct action by police.

When they arrived, officers found that Collins had doused herself with gasoline, shut herself up in the North Market Street residence, and refused to come out.

Police negotiators tried to talk Collins into leaving the house for nearly four hours, but the woman refused to cooperate. Finally, officers forced entry into the residence and took Collins into custody without further incident.

Collins was charged with one count of domestic violence and also later served with the outstanding warrant.

Police were assisted at the scene by the Van Wert Fire Department and troopers from the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.